Let me start by giving you the short answer. No, cats should not eat chocolate. I love chocolate so it’s something we often have hiding around the house. Most people are aware that chocolate is bad for dogs but the majority of people are not aware that chocolate can be just as dangerous to cats.
Do cats like chocolate?
Cat’s are not normally attracted to chocolate which makes it easier to manage than with a dog, but you will need to be careful that your cat doesn’t develop a taste for it.
The problem with chocolate is that it contains some toxins which are dangerous to your cat. In some cases, depending on the amount consumed, these toxins can be lethal.
Why is chocolate so bad for cats?
The main toxin is theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaline that is found in cocoa which is used to make chocolate. Whist this is harmless to us humans, dogs and cats are not able to process this ingredient. Because they can’t process it, it builds up in their system. This build up can result in liver failure amongst other things. Your cat doesn’t have to consume large amounts of chocolate for this to be a problem. Don’t forget that our little friends are much smaller than us humans so even a small amount can be a problem.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this applies to all types of chocolate. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, etc. The base ingredients for all chocolate is the same. In fact, dark chocolate which is normally regarded as healthier chocolate has a higher level of theobromine than regular milk chocolate.
What about chocolate flavoured foods?
Everything I already covered also applies to any chocolate flavouring in other products. When we think of chocolate, we think of the traditional chocolate bar we all love but, don’t forget about chocolate flavoured foods such as ice-cream, milk, etc. Just to be safe, assume that all chocolate flavoured foods contain theobromine because they probably do.
What happens if my cat eats chocolate?
If at any point you suspect that your cat has eaten chocolate you need to watch out for the following symptoms. It is critical to detect these early so make sure you are vigilant. The symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Increased rate of breathing
- Restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Heightened temperature
- Muscle rigidity
If you notice any of these symptoms you should take your cat to a veterinarian centre immediately. As with medical condition, the sooner you get your cat to a vet, the better the recovery chances. In order to help your vet you should provide them with the following information:
- When your cat ate the chocolate
- The name of the chocolate product they ate (take wrappers with you if possible)
- The amount of the product you think they ate
- What symptoms you observed
- What will the vet do if my cat ate chocolate?
Typically, a vet will try to induce vomiting to reduce the amount of toxins in their system. Do not try to induce vomiting yourself unless instructed by your vet as this can cause further harm.
They may also need to perform further test and your cat may require IV fluids. The aims will be to reduce extract the most mount of toxins out of their system.
What can I do to my cat safe?
Because chocolate is so dangerous to our little friends, we need to keep it away from their reach. Cats are notoriously clever and ingenious when it comes to exploring so we need to keep our chocolate in sealed containers or behind doors that they can’t open. Also keep in mind that you need to wipe down all surfaces when cooking with chocolate such as baking cakes. By keeping chocolate locked away we will be ensuring the safety of our little feline friends while also helping out waist line.
